Three Zimbabweans have been convicted of damaging a cell tower situated close to the N1 in Springfontein on 9 June 2021 and stealing batteries vital to its operation.
Each was sentenced to an effective 30 years’ imprisonment. Patrick Chirambandare (34), Washington Khoza (32) and Cliff Hove (28) were sentenced in the Bethulie Regional Court on Wednesday (11/05).
They received 15 years’ imprisonment for the damage of infrastructure and 15 years for the theft of batteries valued at R78 000.
This hefty sentence followed a request by the state prosecutor, Leon Ehlers, who highlighted the negative impact that damaged infrastructure has on South Africans.
He stressed that severe punishment was necessary to send a message to like-minded people that damage to infrastructure will not be tolerated.
According to Phaladi Shuping, provincial spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the convicts were caught red-handed at the tower. The loot was discovered by members of the police force and a private security company.
A white Toyota bakkie, used in the commission of the crime, was confiscated.
The law enforcement agencies caught the men upon responding to a signal of trespassing at the tower.
According to Shuping, the conviction was a culmination of the in-depth investigation by the provincial crime unit.
